The Best Survival Knife

One of the biggest reasons we've built Survivalist HQ is because, in our own survival gear research, we found the internet so cluttered with advertising and sales that it all became tiring very quickly.

Our main contributor Jim once asked HQ member Dave over lunch: "Are there really over 100 options for the Best Survival Knife? Surely they can't all be the best if there are dozens and dozens of choices. Someone should really just narrow it down to the very best of the very best, with options for different needs."

So that's what we decided to do. Narrow down recommendations to the very best of the very best:

Recommendations for differing needs. For example, survival knives that can easily fit the smaller hands of a teenager or lady.

Now on with the show!

The Best Survival Knife For You​

What does one use a survival knife for anyhow? We generally use ours most often around camp. We use it to start fires, chop wood, whittle stakes, flip burgers, pry, poke, and slice up our food. We use the butt to hammer tent pegs, crack nuts, and smash anything that needs smashing.

In your car, you can use your survival knife to break open a car window or cut off a seat belt. ​

We based our criteria for these survival knives off of our own experience. We've handled each item and either tested them personally or reached out to fellow preppers who carry them every day. We've chosen five main options and two budget options.

Our criteria were:

Blade constructed of high carbon steel

Blade at least 4.5" long and less than 7"

Blade thickness appropriate for chopping, prying, and camp tasks

Anti-reflective coating

Includes tactical sheath (extra points given for MOLLE compatible sheaths)

Priced at less than $100 (less than $50 in the Budget category)

Our Top 5 Recommendations For Overall Best Survival Knife

SOG Specialty Seal Team Elite

The SOG Specialty SOG Specialty Seal Team Elite is a perfect combination of weight and size for a large survival knife. The sturdy blade can be used to chop and pry. As with its "little brother" the Seal Pup Elite, this knife's handle is textured for a secure grip when wet.

Overall Length: 12.3"

Blade Length: 7"

Steel: AUS-8

Handle Material: Fiberglass filled nylon

Sheath: MOLLE compatible nylon

Weight: 10.3 oz

Partially serrated blade, deep finger cutouts

Street Price: $95

SOG Specialty Seal Pup Elite

A Survivalist HQ favorite, we like the SOG Specialty Seal Pup Elite overall 9.5" length, 4.85" blade, and light weight. The handle is nicely sized for medium to smaller hands. This knife was carried by one of our members on deployment and performed admirably.

Overall Length: 9.5"

Blade Length: 4.85"

Steel: AUS-8

Handle Material: Fiberglass filled nylon

Sheath: Molle compatible nylon

Weight: 5.4 oz

Partially serrated blade, deep finger cutouts

Street Price: $75

Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife

The Gerber LMF II is a feature-rich survival knife. Its blade is a high carbon stainless steel, and the sheath comes with an integrated carbide sharpener. The handle has three lanyard holes to help lash it onto a spear, and the sheath is MOLLE compatible.

Overall Length: 10.6"

Blade Length: 4.8"

Steel: 420HC high carbon stainless

Handle Material: Fiberglass filled nylon

Sheath: Ballistic nylon

Weight: 11.67 oz

Lash points for use as spear, built-in sharpener

Street Price: $65

Ka-Bar Becker BK7

At almost 13 inches overall and sporting a 7-inch blade, the Becker BK7 is the largest of our preferred survival knives. The 1095 Cro-Van steel blade holds an edge well, while ​the 3/16" thickness adds some serious solid weight to your cutting, chopping, or sticking.

Overall Length: 12-7/8"

Blade Length: 7"

Steel: 1095 Cro-Van

Handle Material: Fiberglass filled nylon

Sheath: Black Cordura nylon

Weight: 12 oz

Lanyard hole, glass breaking pommel

Street Price: $90

Ka-Bar Becker BK2

Only slightly shorter than its BK7 counterpart, the Becker BK2 sports a 1/4 thick blade and over-molded handle. The extra weight makes it ideal for heavy duty jobs like chopping wood of breaking down game. It also deserves special mention for its snap-in Kydex sheath.

Overall Length: 10.5"

Blade Length: 5.25"

Steel: 1095 Cro-Van

Handle Material: Fiberglass filled nylon

Sheath: Kydex

Weight: 14.6 oz

Lanyard hole, glass breaking pommel

Street Price: $70

Top 2 Recommendations For Best Budget Survival Knife (Under $50)

Gerber Prodigy Survival Knife

The Gerber Prodigy stands out in our budget category due to its high quality steel, MOLLE compatible sheath, and textured handle. Sporting a full tang, 420HC high carbon stainless blade, the Prodigy is a fully functional survival knife with great balance.

Overall Length: 9.75"

Blade Length: 4.75"

Steel: 420HC high carbon stainless

Handle Material: Textured, over-molded rubber

Sheath: Ballistic nylon

Weight: 8 oz

Full tang blade, friction release sheath

Street Price: $35

Schrade Extreme Survival Knife

The Schrade Extreme Survival Knife stands the test of time for long term performance. The sheath can easily be adapted for right or left hand users and includes a utility pocket. Mid-range length and weight make this survival knife an all around great workhorse for the money.

Overall Length: 9.75"

Blade Length: 4.75"

Steel: 8Cr13MoV high carbon stainless

Handle Material: Micarta

Sheath: Multiple carry position ballistic nylon

Weight: 10.1 oz

Full tang blade, friction release sheath

Street Price: $40

Next Steps

Like all survivalist gear, what survival knife (or survival knives!) to pack is a serious choice. However, getting stuck in "analysis paralysis" and never taking any action can and will cause a world of hurt when SHTF. Survivalist HQ urges you to prepare and get a survival knife today. It doesn't have to be one of out top choices (although we believe these seven are the best options). Please, just prepare yourselves.